Home » The Archives » Chapter 6 » Celebrations and Challenges
| Re: Celebrations and Challenges [message #1488 is a reply to message #1487] |
Thu, 26 July 2012 22:21   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
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Tracy Island, Saturday May 19th, 4:15 p.m
Brandon sat by the swimming pool checking his dive gear. Gordon had told him about a coral reef on the other side of the island and he wanted to check it out. He was so preoccupied with making sure everything was working properly that he didn't hear footsteps behind him.
"Hi, Brandon," Kat came and sat down beside him. "Are you going to try out your gear in the pool? I'd love to watch you. If you have time, would you teach me?"
Brandon looked over at Kat's eager face and shook his head. "Sorry, not this time." He then explained where he was going.
Kat looked rather sad. Then she brightened up. "Would you let me accompany you? I could just sunbathe and watch you at the same time. It's rather quiet at the moment with Callie in Thunderbird Five and Alan and John away at the Monaco Grand Prix. Everyone else seems occupied at the moment."
Brandon thought a moment. He liked diving solo but at the same time he didn't want to disappoint Kat. Finally he spoke up. "I have a better idea. How about we go snorkeling instead? That way you can enjoy the underwater beauty."
For a moment Kat's face lit up and then she looked unsure. "Actually, I haven't done much snorkeling, and I don't have any equipment of my own. Do you think I could borrow some from the Tracys? I'm sure they must have some spare equipment."
Brandon smiled reassuringly. "I'm sure Mr. Tracy won't mind you borrowing some equipment. Then you can practice in the pool before we go."
Kat's face brightened. "Thank you, Brandon. I'll go ask Mr. Tracy straight away and be back in a few minutes."
It wasn't long before Kat reappeared, a smile on her face. "There is plenty of equipment in that huge box at the far end of the pool." Brandon went along with her and, after much laughing and joking, managed to find some equipment that she was comfortable with. Then Kat followed Brandon back towards the edge of the pool. Standing on the edge, Kat remarked, "Okay, now what?"
"Now we get into the water," he replied in a deadpan voice. Kat blushed and followed him into the water. "Okay, you need to make sure you mask is tight. You don't want it to flood." Brandon knew what he was talking about. It had happened to him several times and it was not a pleasant experience. After making sure her mask was secure, he taught her the basics of how to breathe through the narrow plastic tube.
Slowly, Kat followed Brandon, gently placing her face under the water, and moving along at a slow pace. When they reached the end of the pool, they both stood in the shallow water. "Now, can we go snorkeling in the sea?" Kat asked, her enthusiasm showing.
"We'll do a few more passes in the pool to make sure you're ready, then we'll go." Brandon pushed himself off the side of the pool, Kat following behind him.
Kat and Brandon swam two more lengths. She was fit, but the effort of keeping her face and body under the water whilst swimming hard to keep up with Brandon, made her breathless.
"Hey, wait a minute. I need to catch my breath."
Brandon stopped swimming. "Sorry, Kat. I just wasn't thinking."
After a short breather, the two continued swimming up and down the pool. Eventually Brandon stopped swimming and said, "Okay, Kat, let's head for the beach."
The cabin cruiser approached the other side of the island, Brandon at the controls, with Kat standing beside him. Occasionally they would look across the water, seeing a pod of dolphins swimming in the distance. Finally, they arrived at their location and prepared to swim. She watched him in disgust as he spit in his mask and rinsed it off in the water.
"That's gross," Kat remarked as Brandon looked up at her with an amused look on his face.
"Hey, I know it looks bad, but it keeps the mask from fogging up."
Even though she felt disgusted at what he did, she thought that she had better do the same.
"Okay, Kat," Brandon said, replacing his mask. "Now just follow me." Going to the side of the boat, Brandon stepped down the boarding ladder, Kat following behind him.
They cleared the water from the snorkels and began a slow leisurely swim to the reef. Kat stared in amazement at what she saw. The brightly colored tropical fish swam to and fro, some disturbed by the human intruders.
The sea was a clear turquoise blue, and the fronds of seaweed and anenomes waved gently in the slow underwater currents. It was breathtakingly beautiful. When they arrived at the reef, the colours of the different corals looked almost luminescent in the clear water around them. Ooh, Kat thought, this is awesome.
For about an hour they swam around the reef, marveling at nature's colors. There was a moment when a large fish swam by them, surprising the two swimmers. Finally the water began to darken, telling them that it was time to head back.
The two climbed back on board the cabin cruiser. Taking off their masks and flippers, they both sat down on the deck. "Man, that was awesome! We must do that again sometime," Kat said. "I can't wait to tell Nikki and Elise how beautiful it was: all those colours, and the different fish. Wow!!."
"Of course we can do it again," Brandon replied as he started the boat's engine. As they headed home, they talked about the day's experiences.
Post by MagicMaster8 and TawnyAngel22 Sent: 10/5/2005
  
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